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Who was Alicia Alonso? 10 facts about the legendary Cuban ballet dancer

2019-10-17T20:44:31.757Z


Alonso, famous for his wonderful interpretations of the great works of classical and romantic ballet, died Thursday at the age of 98. Look at these 10 facts about his life and his career


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(CNN Spanish) - “My desire is that there is no one left who does not shout: Bravo for Cuba !, when I dance. Otherwise, if I cannot fulfill that dream, sadness would be the reward of my efforts. ” That's how the Cuban classical dancer Alicia Alonso spoke about 50 years ago, according to Cubadebate. Alonso, famous for his wonderful interpretations of the great works of classical and romantic ballet, died Thursday at the age of 98.

1. Her full name was Alicia Ernestina de la Caridad del Cobre Martínez y del Hoyo

He was born in Havana, Cuba, on December 21, 1920 and began his studies of flamenco in Spain. Then he studied ballet in Havana, where he met the dancer Fernando Alonso, with whom he later married. They divorced in the 1970s.

MIRA: The legendary Cuban dancer Alicia Alonso dies

2. His most remembered interpretations

Alonso is remembered for his role as Giselle, a two-act romantic ballet, and for his performance as Carmen, a ballet based on the opera of the same name.

3. A problem in her eyes left her almost blind

By 1940, while he was part of the Ballet Theater, which was later the American Ballet Theater, he had to retire due to problems in his eyes. According to Prensa Latina reports, it had to be operated and doctors recommended that he not dance again. Alonso fulfilled the rest, says Prensa Latina, and came to star in Giselle. According to the Britannica encyclopedia, this was a problem that afflicted her throughout her life and eventually left her almost blind.

Alicia Alonso (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

4. He founded the National Ballet of Cuba

Together with her husband and her brother Alberto, Alonso founded the Alicia Alonso Ballet Company in Cuba, which in 1955 was renamed the Cuban Ballet, which closed the following year due to financial problems, according to Britannica. When Fidel Castro came to power in 1959, Alonso formed a new company: the National Ballet of Cuba

5. She was the first western dancer to perform in the Soviet Union

In 1957, Alonso was invited to dance in the Soviet Union. Alonso broadly endorsed the Cuban Government, which considered her his highest artistic figure.

Alicia Alonso and Igor Yusskevitch dancing 'Aleko' (Baron / Getty Images)

6. Your last presentation

In 1995, after more than 60 years of starting to dance, he gave his last presentation. In 1999 he received the Pablo Picasso medal from Unesco for his contribution to art and culture.

7. He danced as a ballerina cousin in several countries in Europe and America

Alonso danced in Washington, New York, Monte Carlo, in Helsinki, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Melbourne among others. According to Cubadebate, it was presented in about 65 countries.

Alicia Alonso and Azari Plisetski dancing Swan Lake in 1970 (/ AFP / Getty Images)

8. Your awards and distinctions

According to Cubadebate, he won 266 international awards and distinctions throughout his career.

9. He had more than 130 works in his repertoire

Alonso played 134 titles in his career, says Cubadebate.

LOOK: Alicia Alonso: An artist is a bird that always wants to be flying

10. He had two honorary doctorates

Alonso was given an honorary doctorate from the University of Havana and the Polytechnic University of Valencia, in Spain

Alicia Alonso

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2019-10-17

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